Lakers center Dwight Howard did not damage his right shoulder any further and is expected to play Friday nght. CHARLES REX ARBOGAST, AP

Lakers center Dwight Howard did not suffer any additional damage to his right shoulder during Wednesday's loss at Memphis and has been cleared to play, the team announced Thursday.

Howard aggravated his right shoulder when he tried to fight through a screen by the Grizzlies' Rudy Gay with 2:21 left in the second quarter and did not return. The Lakers center was examined by Dr. James Tibone, who cleared him to play, presumably Friday night against Utah.

Howard initially suffered a torn labrum Jan. 4 when he got tangled up with Caron Butler during the Lakers' loss to the Clippers and missed three games. He had hoped that rehabilitation would have strengthened the shoulder and prevented further injury.

Howard finished with two points and two rebounds in 14 minutes against the Grizzlies.

JANIS CARR

VOTE OF CONFIDENCE

There's plenty of heat and speculation — and plenty for Lakers coach Mike D'Antoni to hash out as far as better using his players, including Howard — but the Lakers are not considering a buyout or firing of D'Antoni.

The Lakers signed D'Antoni to a three-year contract to replace Mike Brown, who was fired Nov. 9.

D'Antoni is 12-20 as Lakers coach. With the Lakers' Jan. 15 victory over Milwaukee, D'Antoni got the 400th victory of his NBA career — the 42nd in NBA history to do so, 34 of them with winning records, like D'Antoni.

But D'Antoni hasn't won a game since then. Friday's game against Utah is the first in a three-game homestand that also includes games with Oklahoma City and New Orleans.

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